How to Become a Catastrophe/Independent Insurance Adjuster

Catastrophe insurance adjusters must work in challenging conditions.

An insurance adjuster works to inspect damages and try to reach a fast and fair claims settlement with a policyholder. This is a quickly growing field for public, independent and staff adjusters. An independent adjuster works for a claims adjusting firm to settle claims for an insurance company. To become an insurance adjuster, there are a variety of prerequisites. You should also be physically able to climb ladders and work in unstable conditions (such as recently flooded areas). Intellectually, you need to be able to use a computer, calculate areas and take extensive notes on damages.

Things You'll Need

• Laptop
• Ladder
• Measuring Tape

Instructions

1. Determine whether you have the right background. Most independent adjusters have a background in construction, home inspections, appraisals or contracting. If you don't have a background in any of these subjects, be prepared to go through additional training to teach you about the components of a building. Insurance adjuster training is important to reaching your goal of working with insurance claims.

2. Pursue a state adjuster license in your home state. If you plan to do catastrophe work, you will get temporary licenses for disaster-affected states when you're deployed. Otherwise you'll want to seek non-resident adjuster licenses in states where you're interested in working but do not live. To get information about a state's licensing procedure, search online for the state's department of insurance or department of financial services. A list of state insurance commissions is listed in the Resources section.

3. Invest in equipment. A laptop, ladder and measuring tape are a few basic tools you'll need. Find out what estimating software you'll be expected to use (Xactimate is most common) and make sure the laptop you buy has the minimum specifications required to run that program. A laptop can be a large investment, so you may want to take some classes first to make sure you're really interested in adjusting.

4. Find an insurance adjuster school or insurance adjusting training courses. These can be offered by adjuster training companies or by adjusting firms. CatAdjuster.org and Claims Mentor collect class listings from many different companies so you can find local or online classes. Check to see whether the class you're taking offers a certification. You'll want to ask if it's an adjusting certification internal to that adjusting company, or if other adjusting companies will accept it. Most classes will cost money. Most in-person classes are held along the Gulf Coast or in Dallas, where many independent adjusting firms are headquartered. You can also take classes online.

5. The most important things to learn initially are how to scope a dwelling, including how to measure and estimate rooms and particularly roofs. After that you'll want to learn about policies, then about estimating software. Insurance schools and adjusting firms will sometimes offer "Become an Adjuster" packages that cover all these topics over a week or two. It is easiest to initially focus on adjusting homeowners claims or auto claims. Commercial claims can have very complex structures and coverages.

6. Go to the adjusting classes. While you're there, talk to other adjusters and see if they've worked before. Make as many contacts as you can. Other adjusters provide great leads about what companies have work, and what companies are good or bad to work for. Making friends has other advantages -- if you get deployed to do catastrophe work for a company, you could have friends willing to split an apartment, trailer or hotel room, which defrays a major cost.

7. Network. At adjuster training classes, pay attention to the principals of the company. For your purposes, the human resources or adjuster manager is a great contact. Once you're deployed, you'll be working with the claims manager and claim supervisors, so get to know them if at all possible. Getting claims is about building relationships and showing the company they can trust you to do good work.

8. When you're at classes, pay attention. Teachers will notice you texting or messaging. Avoid leaving the room to take calls -- save it for breaks and lunchtime. Often the person teaching your class is from a department responsible for assigning you claims, so by being attentive you can make a good first impression.

9. Once you've completed some training, stay in touch. Send independent adjusting firms updated copies of your resume that list your certifications and relevant work experience. Call your contact at the companies every few months to keep your name on their radar.

10. If you are deployed, follow all instructions and do the best work you can. Turning in excellent claims quickly is the best way to go to the top of a company's list. Disappearing, failing to communicate and turning in shoddy work are the fastest ways to make sure you never get called again.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress professionally. In the adjusting world, there's an unofficial uniform of khaki pants and a button up or polo shirt. When in doubt, ask about the dress code.

• Consider joining professional societies to increase your networking potential.

• Independent adjusting can be a fickle field. In years with many hailstorms or hurricanes there's potential for quite a lot of money, but in "off" years, you could make nothing, especially if you're a novice.

• The word "independent" is key. Adjusting firms will expect you to be a self-starter, willing to do leg work and study policies on your own time.

• Adjusters do a lot of traveling. If there is a catastrophe, you may be deployed across the country for weeks or months at a time. There is financial payoff, but be prepared to sacrifice time with your family.

References

• CSU Future Teacher Organization; Independent Insurance Claims Adjuster -- 4 Steps to Become a Cat Adjuster; September 28, 2010
• Well Adjusted; 3 Reasons to Become a Cat Adjuster